Advisory Board

The xG Technology Advisory Board is made up of distinguished experts who provide invaluable input to the company regarding strategy, applications and markets. Advisory Board members include individuals who possess significant experience in a variety of industry sectors.

Brian Lasagna, Advisory Board Chairman

Brian has diverse experience as a business development executive, consultant, and program and project manager serving the Intelligence Community and government and military clients around the world, with a focus in secure tactical networks and communications technologies, including satellite, microwave and tactical radio solutions. Brian has also developed many productive and long-standing relationships among major telecommunications, oil and gas, and scientific exploration firms.

With a superlative record of delivering smart, reliable, and ruggedized network solutions to a demanding clientele operating in the most austere and remote environments, Brian brings a broad, multi-discipline technical expertise and commitment to true customer advocacy to the xG management team. Brian earned an MBA from the University of Texas, and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Louis T. Fiore

Prior to joining xG Technology’s Advisory Board. Louis T. Fiore’s extensive security industry experience has included serving as a Past President of CSAA (1997-1999) and President of L.T. Fiore, Inc. In 1999, he was appointed by President Clinton to serve in the “America Burning” panel. Fiore was the 1992 recipient of the Security Industry Association’s (SIA) George Lippert Memorial Award and the 2005 recipient of the CSAA Stanley C. Lott Award.

Fiore serves as Chairman of Central Station Alarm Association’s (CSAA) Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) and Standards Committee. He is the past chairman of the SIA’s Security Industry Standards Council (SISC) during its formative period.

Fiore is a long time member of the Supervising Station Committee of NFPA 72, a member of NFPA’s Premises Security Committee (NFPA 730 & 731), a member of NFPA’s Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment (NFPA 720), a member of the NFPA 72 Technical Correlating Committee and a member of various UL Standards Technical Panels. Fiore holds a Bachelor and Master in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.

Fiore’s career also includes posts at CBS Laboratories, Inc. (1964-1973), Manager of Product Development at ADT Security Systems (1973-1981), President and Co-founder of Cardinal Technologies, Inc. (1981-1983), Vice President and General Manager of the Security Products Division of Repco, Inc. (1983-1987), and Vice President of Engineering and Purchasing for National Guardian Corporation (1987-1996). For the past fourteen years, he has worked in his own consulting practice.

Randy Houdek

For the past twenty-four years, Randy Houdek has worked for Venture Communications in Highmore, South Dakota, serving as the General Manager for thirteen years. Venture Communications serves approximately 13,500 access lines spread over 7,000 square miles. Under his leadership, Venture Communications provides dial-up and high-speed Internet access, cable TV services, and is the dominant long distance carrier in its service territory.

On a state level, Mr. Houdek has served on the board of directors of South Dakota Network, South Dakota Telephone Association, Fiber Ring Revenue Pooling Association, and the Local Exchange Carrier Association. On a national level, he is a member of the NECA (National Exchange Carrier Association) board of directors, Secretary/Treasurer of the NRTC (National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative) board of directors, and serves as a member of the NTCA (National Telecommunications Cooperative Association) Government Affairs Committee.

Michael Calabrese

Michael Calabrese is director of the Wireless Future Project, which is part of New America’s Open Technology Institute. He also serves as a senior research fellow affiliated with the Asset Building Program. Mr. Calabrese focuses on developing policies that promote pervasive connectivity, including spectrum policy reform, mobile market competition, wireless broadband deployment and IT investment and innovation more broadly.

Mr. Calabrese currently serves as an appointed member of the U.S. Department of Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) since 2009. He also served as an invited expert on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) spectrum reform working group during 2011-2012.

Previously, Mr. Calabrese served as general counsel of the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, as director of Domestic Policy Programs at the Center for National Policy, and as pension and employee benefits counsel at the national AFL-CIO. As an attorney and graduate of both Stanford Business and Law Schools, Mr. Calabrese speaks and writes frequently on issues related to spectrum, wireless broadband, and Internet policy.

George Schmitt, Jr.

Mr. Schmitt is President and CEO of Cybergate Nevada, LLC, the parent/holding company for Palm Aerospace, a major Fort Myers, FL-based aircraft parts supplier. Previously, he was president of ReadyJetGo Airlines, a charter airline company that flew custom-configured jets for the sports and music industries. He serves on the board of directors (Executive Committee and Financial Planning) of The First Tee of the Tri-Valley, a youth development program. He is a graduate of St. Mary’s College of California.

Shirley Bloomfield

Shirley Bloomfield is a staunch advocate for rural telecommunications. During the course of her career, she has led efforts to raise the visibility of the value and innovation of independent, rural telecom companies. As CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, Bloomfield’s leadership has been a significant factor in moving the organization forward in uncertain regulatory times. Her rural telecom knowledge, ability to build alliances and visionary drive have energized and advanced NTCA and the rural telecom industry.

Recently, Bloomfield served as the staff lead for the unification of National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) with the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO). Working with the boards of directors of both organizations, Bloomfield brought to fruition a combined industry organization that was years in the making. With the unification of the two leading industry organizations, Bloomfield now leads a strengthened association that speaks with one voice on national issues related to rural telecommunications.

Bloomfield also serves as a board member of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, helping rural utilities in creating and advancing telecommunications and related businesses, and GlobalWin, an organization of women leaders in the high-tech industry. Through the organization, she participates in efforts to support and advance women in telecommunications through educational opportunities and networking. She serves as a mentor and advisor to those interested in developing their careers in telecommunications.

From her days as a congressional aide to her years as a lobbyist for NTCA, Qwest and Verizon, Bloomfield has developed expertise in understanding complex issues and advocating effectively on behalf of her constituency. Bloomfield received her Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in public administration from American University.